Approximately seven percent of U.S. households fall victim to identity theft each year, and those numbers are on the rise. Anyone whose personally identifiable information (PII) has been compromised in a data breach should consider options to protect their credit from being misused.

“Monitor your bank account and credit card statements online on a regular basis”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB serving Central East Texas. “Waiting for your monthly statements could be too late.”

Consumers in the United States have access to a powerful tool -- the credit freeze -- to lock down their credit reports and prevent identity thieves from establishing new lines of credit in their names. Alternately, you can place a fraud alert on your credit reports, although that provides less protection than a freeze.

BBB provides the following information on credit freezes and fraud alerts:

Option 1: Credit Freeze

A credit freeze will not impact your credit score or impair your ability to use your existing credit cards. A freeze locks down your credit reports, used by lenders to determine your credit worthiness, not your actual credit.

Once you freeze your credit reports, opening new credit will require some advanced planning. You’ll need to request a temporary “thaw” with all three credit bureaus- Experian, Transunion, and Equifax - to allow lenders to access your reports. The entire online thaw request process for all three bureaus should take about twenty minutes, and your reports can be set to automatically re-freeze on a date you select.Credit freezes and thaws are generally free for identity theft victims. Non-victims in all but a handful of states must pay a fee to each credit bureau to implement a freeze (thirteen additional states waive fees for seniors). Fees vary by state, but are generally $3 to $10. For many consumers, a one-time fee to each bureau may provide a lifetime of protection.

You’ll need to hold on to your login credentials with each bureau to thaw your reports. A lost PIN or user ID can be difficult and time consuming to retrieve. Treat your login information with each bureau as you would your birth certificate or other important documents.

Option 2: Fraud Alert

A fraud alert is a less drastic, but potentially less effective, protective measure. A fraud alert flags your credit reports, alerting potential lenders to verify the identity of anyone attempting to open an account in your name. Fraud alerts are free and don’t interfere with your ability to receive instant credit. However, fraud alerts rely entirely on the diligence of the person performing the credit check. Fraud alerts are also temporary, and must be reinstated every 90 days in most cases.

It’s important to remember that while a credit freeze offers powerful protection, and a fraud alert may also be useful, neither is a guarantee. They will not prevent all forms of identity theft, and will not protect you from misuse of existing accounts. Vigilance is key. Continue to regularly check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com for unauthorized charges or other signs of fraud. This is the only free credit report authorized by the Federal Trade Commission.